Afternoon Storytime (D2 MA, Open)

[Jihen]

A small collection of people had gathered around what appeared to be some kind of street performance taking place after the end of court for the day.

Jihen pointed to the pilgrimage mandala image of the Four Temples: Daikandaiji, Yakushiji, Asukadera and Kawaradera. He relayed the history of the temples as expressed in the image, each small painting within the painting serving as a tool to expound on another story and teaching of Shinsei.

As he saw the attention and the size of the crowd continue to grow Jihen began the explanation of the pilgrimage route to each of the temples and stories of those who had made the journey.

He spoke of the pilgrimage shiba-inu... Of how an elderly infirmed woman desired to see the Four Temples, but in her old age was no longer able to make the journey. The woman instead fastened a purse filled with her life savings to her faithful inu's collar to pay for food and lodging along the way... and then sent him on the road to the Four Temples. Six months later... the dog returned to the elderly woman with a talisman from the Kawaradera and his purse filled with twice the money she had sent along with him.

A boy in the crowd challenged the story of the dog and it's truthfulness.

"Of course it is true... And we see the dogs along the road each year even now."

He smiles at the young boy and drives home the point, "While there are some who say the Fortunes fill the purses... I believe it is the well-intentioned innkeepers and travelers on the road who feed and care for the dog-pilgrims. Why take from such a noble animal when you could give and receive so much more for your generosity?"

He smiles, "It is important to remember that all life has great capacity for good... The life you have is inextricably tied to the song of the universe. The Little Teacher has said, 'Make your soul sing its song, and you will find there is nothing you cannot accomplish'."

Jihen scanned the crowd to see if his message was received... and in his humble estimation... he had done some good. He closed his story with a bow and bid farewell to the listeners. The crowd quickly dispersed as Jihen gathered his things, rolling up the pilgrimage mandala with care...

D2 MA Fluff Storytelling Roll, VP 4 Raises for Effect | 10k7 ⇒ 70 (TN: 35)

[Mirumoto Jinkan]

snip

"Oi!..." A Mirumoto in green and white silks with enough gold threaded through them to pay for a horse and carriage, stood frozen in place his hand caught in a wave. His face had deep scars on either side of his mouth which was open to the wind and bugs, while his eyes were closed shut for a long moment.

It wasn't that bad was it? Monks are called Baldie all the time, why...

Once it passed he relaxed, almost visibly boneless for a moment, his shoulder flopping back down with a small noise. His eyes opened and he gave a bow with more respect than was really called for, recovering his previous vitality as he did so. For a couple of seconds he was whispering something quickly and quietly to the air before putting a smile on. He looked at something over the monk's shoulder as he introduced himself.

"Mirumoto Jinkan, might I know your name?"

[Jihen]

The monk turned to the greeting and smiled softly. He indeed was used to much worse at times.

"I am called Jihen. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance Mirumoto-sama. Were you present for my story just now?"

[Mirumoto Jinkan]

"I did, you have a gift for speaking to a crowd. The lesson I learned is that people like dogs more than other people. Maybe it has something to do with the face?" The Mirumoto ran a hand over his own scarred face with flourish.

"I recognize the Four Temples, Jihen-san. But you are far younger than most of the monks I have seen climbing the mountains of my homeland. And better looking too." He gave a wink at that.

[Jihen]

Jihen laughed in a friendly manner at the man's comment on dogs.

"It's perhaps easier to trust a dog... They are much more honest in their affections and hatreds."

He then smiles and nods his head in gratitude, "That is very kind of you to say Mirumoto-sama. While my face may have a certain balance... My arms seem to have missed the missive. Beauty is such a fickle thing."

He finishes wrapping up his image and putting it away, "And yes... I am younger than many who live full lives outside of the monastery before joining. I was given to the Four Temples as a very small child."

[Mirumoto Jinkan]

"Don't worry about your arm, it does little to distract from your face." Jinkan waved off the monk's wise words on beauty.

"I gather we are both here for the court, as the Lion don't seem keen on the Four Temples. I am a delegate trying to find his place in the quilt of the wheeling and dealing. If it doesn't bother you over much, would you be willing to accept some alms?" Jinkan asked while putting his hands together in respect.

[Jihen]

Jihen bowed deeply to the man at the suggestion, "It is my deep honor to accept such offerings. The people of the empire are always in need... and such generosity has a way of returning in greater magnitude to those willing to make the sacrifice.... Like those who feed the dogs in the story."

He prepares a small cup for which such charitable giving is always used.

[Mirumoto Jinkan]

Jihen bowed deeply to the man at the suggestion, "It is my deep honor to accept such offerings. The people of the empire are always in need... and such generosity has a way of returning in greater magnitude to those willing to make the sacrifice.... Like those who feed the dogs in the story."

He prepares a small cup for which such charitable giving is always used.

Jinkan pulled his pouch from his sleeve to go over the contents. Vial of dust, a blue rock, tiny pieces of paper, his kawaru set...the coins naturally have settled on the bottom and he fetched several zeni to drop into the monk's cup. He put them in with the clinking of coin and a small nod.

"The Dragon know the value of the Brotherhood, I would be remiss to not give what is easy enough to give." He put his stuff back up his sleeve pouch with a few quick motions.

"Besides, some views are worth paying for." More winking.

"So what are you doing for court, Jihen-san?"

[Jihen]

Jihen bowed deeply in gratitude and deftly moved the cup out of sight after Jinkan's donation.

"I hear there are much more beautiful views down the river at Ryoko Owari. And ones that are sure to be more interactive." He replies with a smile.

He then replies, "I am attending to the Abbot of the Four Temples, Chou-sin. I am his aide and he has asked me to accompany him to this winter court. I am here to observe... and assist the people gathered here in whatever way I can."

He then asks, "Are there specific things for which you have come Mirumoto-sama?"

[Mirumoto Jinkan]

"I have never been further south than the dirt under my feet right at this moment, and my sister told me to avoid Ryoko Owari. Or at least I think that is what she meant, she never clarified." Jinkan replied easily before being distracted by something over the monk's shoulder for a second. It made his face stop smiling and return to its normal passive ugliness.

"Two things, one I had a dream. Two, to get married. My father is dying, and my sister won't inherit, so someone has to find some children. You don't know where one might pick up promising younglings?"

[Jihen]

"Unfortunately, I'm not sure of where the local youngling depository is around here. I can keep an eye out for potential youngling... makers... though if that would be of service. It is my understanding that there are more than a few who have come with similar intentions to the court. We of the Brotherhood can be quite good at carrying messages along to persons of interest... Hosting gatherings which allow for proper fraternizing as one listens to the stories of the past..." He replies.

"Or help as one tries to understand the meaning of their dreams."

[Mirumoto Jinkan]

"The Lion might be miffed if I took a few little ones along with me anyway." Jinkan laughed in his high pitched way. "Thanks for the offer but I know what my dream means. I might take you up on the message aspect though."

"Do the Brotherhood have interests in the Imperial Court this year? Aside from succession issues which everyone will be on the lookout for. The Dragon are looking for resources for the spring seasons, and to keep everyone friendly long enough to see the spring season."

[Jihen]

“The Brotherhood… are rarely completely unified or divided in their interests. The thing about there being many paths to the top of a mountain means… there are people spread all over the mountain.”

He smiles, “But what we are unified in is serving the Tao and the Empire, because serving one is serving both.”

[Mirumoto Jinkan]

"Ah, well said. It is like saying 'all's well that ends well' and then running away when people ask if it is over yet. It is never over." The Mirumoto returned the monk's smile in kind.

He really does have a very lovely face, too bad I can't take it with me...

"Difficult situations get better only when change takes place. Does Jihen-san have a favorite direction they face for the wind?"

[Jihen]

“Not yet, no.” He replies.

“My master is set in his opinion… but I have not seen enough to know which way to tilt my sail. The wind is never empty… and getting carried on the wrong wind brings only calamity.”

He asks in return, “Have you formulated an opinion yet?”

[Mirumoto Jinkan]

"Oh yes, I have preferences for my winds. If it was up to me, I would be the cyclone tearing apart the boats in the harbor of Otosan Uchi." Jinkan laughed at the idea. "Unfortunately no one has found anything but dirt and stone in my soul, no wind in sight. The winds that I have seen are entirely invisible anyway, or have to be looked at from a great distance. One can only see them by the things moved in their wake."

"I figured you might know whether any of them have ties to the Brotherhood?"

[Jihen]

"Those with the closest ties would be Seppun Tomaru-sama and Otomo Keihime-sama. The latter is a frequent guest and host of my Master in recent days."

He then adds, "But Doji-sama also showed her support of the Brotherhood in court today at your suggestion... So there is perhaps room there for a connection."

[Mirumoto Jinkan]

"That would make sense, one is an elderly figure with a touch of the spirits, I should have expected him there. The other is also not surprising as the Four Temples and the capital have long been allies. The last is interesting, but the lack of wind is more surprising than anything. Maybe the missing one has not seen the virtue in giving yet? If I may give unsolicited advice as all Dragon do, you should seek out that last wind and see if he was just looking for an opportunity to assist the Brotherhood that his previous anonymity made difficult." Jinkan put his fingers to his scar and rubbed both sides, his eyes thoughtful.

"If it wouldn't be a burden, can you drop a few words with your master? Let him know that unrest and upheaval is coming. And not just the succession kind. He should take care to keep those in his arms safe from the landslide that occurs after the shakeup." The Dragon looked rather serious with darkness creeping across his face.

[Jihen]

"I believe your council concerning the winds is a good one and I will need to take it into account while I am here." He replies with a nod.

"Does this warning have something to do with the dream you saw? Or is this an observation from the waking world?"

[Mirumoto Jinkan]

"I tossed the stones this morning and got the same catastrophic vision as yesterday morning. That doesn't happen unless it is bigger than just the one doing the rolling. And like I said, the Dragon know the worth of the Brotherhood. Passing this on will save lives. I am certain of it." He lightened up a little as he finished.

"The waking world isn't helping though, one is finding it harder and harder to ignore the signs of threads fraying. I worry tomorrow we will wake up to mourn the loss of our dear light, and find the winds have escaped the bottle. Imagine for just a moment what it would look like if the great ship lost the person at the wheel as the winds bear down upon the sails?" Jinkan shuddered for effect.